Safety mechanism for conveyer transfers



E. P. MosLo 2,622,725

SAFETY MECHANISM FoR coNvEYER TRANSFERS 2 SHEETS- SHEET 1 Dec. 23, 1952 Original Filed Oct. 14, 1948 ,/20 5 l' w l 30 INVENTOR. 64 A -f ,5e/VAST f? Mosw l I l o 65 I -..A Mm

Dec. 23, 1952 E. P. MosLo 2,622,725

SAFETY MECHANISM Foa cowvmm TRANSFERS Q INVENTOR.

Q n @Q Patented Dec. 23, 1952 SAFETY MECHANISM FOR CONVEYER TRANSFERS Ernest l?. Moslo, Cleveland Heights, Ohio Original application October 14, '1948, Serial No. 54,450. Divided and this application October 26, 1950, Serial No. 192,279

Claims.

This invention relates to article handling, and finds particular application in a system for conveyiflg Small articles of generally rod-like shape anditransferring them from one conveyor to another.

This application is a division of my application, Serial No. 54,450, filed October 14, 194.8, and now abandoned.

One environment in which the invention has been applied is an oven for baking coatings on welding rods. The rods are carried back and forth through the oven a number of times by chain conveyors. This invention may be considered specifically as directed to the problem of transferring the rods automatically from one conveyor to another. In a broader aspect, the invention vis directed to the combination of two linear conveyors with novel and improved means for transferring articles from one conveyor to another.

The apparatus which forms the presently preferred embodiment of the invention is particularly suitable for handling of bars, rods, and the like, although other generally elongate and approximately straight pieces could well be handledby the mechanism as shown herein or as slightly modified.

Another kaspect of the invention lies in so driving and controlling the conveyor and transfer mechanism as to prevent damage in the event of jamming of the transfer mechanism.

As stated, the invention may be applied to a chain conveyor system in an oven, but since the invention Vclaimed herein .is independent of such environment andsince the structure of the oven as such is not necessary to an understanding of the invention, thedisclosure herein'will, for conciseness, be concerned only with the novel conveying mechanism.

.Conveyors consisting of parallel chains across which articles to be conveyed are laid, such as are preferably employed in the invention, are well known. Therefore, only so much of the chain conveyor per se as is necessary to an understanding of the invention will be described herein.

The principal objects of the invention are'to convey articles by a series of conveyors and transfer .them smoothly and precisely from one conveyor to another; to transfer elongate articles, arranged on Aa .conveyor for movement transversely to the axes of the articles, to another such conveyor and to preserve the alignment and spacing vof the articles; to automatically andprecisely kcenter Vand align articles deposited on a conveyor; and .to prevent casualties Vresulting from accidental dislocation of conveyed articles.

The mannerin which the principal objects, as well as various ancillary objects and advantages of the invention, are realized will'be apparentlto those rskilled in the art from a consideration of the preferred embodiment of the invention as described herein.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1`is an elevation view projected on a plane perpendicularto the direction of movement of the conveyors;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a diagrammatic nature further illustrating the driving and controlling arrangement for thevconveyors;

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view taken on 'the plane indicated in Fig. 1; and

Fig. ll'is a partial plan view.

As stated, the invention has 'found application in an oven for baking coatings on lwelding rods, but since the invention is independent of vthis particular environment and maybe described without reference'thereto, description of the oven and'o'f the known conveyor mechanisms has been eliminated insofar as practicable'inthe interest of conciseness.

The general layout of the invention may, perhaps, be most easily appreciated from the Vplan View of Fig. 4in which 'is depicted the delivery endof `one Vof thechain conveyors (which is also the end `at'whicl'lfthe conveyor is driven) in association with the novel transfermechanism. Each conveyor consists of two parallel chains I I which may be :supported in channel members I2, the chains lrunning parallel and in the same horizcntal 4plane lengthwise of the oven, passing around idler wheels I3, driving sprockets I4 and idler wheels I s from which the return runs of the chains proceed idly to the opposite end of the chain conveyor where it is loaded. The driving sprockets I4 are fixed to yvertical yshafts il which are driven at the same speed.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be observed that lthe shafts Il 'are supported in bearings in a cross frame member t8 of the oven, the `side plates I9 of which areshown in Fig.^1,.and'bevel gears-ZI on the shafts I'I are driven by kbevel gears 22 mountedon a cross shaft'23 supported 'in bearings 24. Additional conveyors traveling in the same direction as the conveyor I aredisposed below the conveyor Il] and are'structurally `similar. The conveyor 30, for example, is'illustrated in part ,in Fig. 1, being guided by idlers 33'and driven by gears .3A on -theshaft I'I. Asfwillbe noted, the gears 34 are smaller .than the gears I'I withthe result that theconveyor 301isaslower than the conveyor ID. Between the conveyors l and 30, the active runs of which move toward the plane of Fig. 1, is a conveyor, indicated generally as 20, of the same general character as the chain conveyors I0 and 30 and comprising a run of chain proceeding away from the plane of Fig. l, the sprockets 38 reversing the chain. Likewise. below the conveyor may be a conveyor 4U, as shown in Fig. 3, similar to conveyor 20 and moving in the same direction. The conveyors 20 and may be driven by mechanism at the opposite end of the oven similar to the mechanism by which the conveyors I0 and 30 are driven.

In Fig. 3, which is a sectional view taken on the plane intermediate the two halves of the conveyor, portions of conveyors 20, 30, and 40 are shown, with the chains II sliding in channel members I2, the conveyors 20 and 4|) moving to the right in the figure and the conveyor 30 to the left. The return sprockets 36 of the return conveyors are mounted in any convenient manner in the fixed frame of the machine and likewise the idler sprocket 33 of the conveyor 3|). The driving sprocket 34 of that conveyor is not illustrated in Fig. 3. The fixed structure of the oven, including the framework and brackets by which the conveyors and their driving mechanisms are mounted and supported in place may be varied to suit the individual installation. As they are not necessary to an understanding of the inven tion, they will not be elaborated upon herein.

The conveyors are particularly adapted to carry rod-like articles such as welding rods 46, which are disposed transversely of the direction of movement of the conveyor chains as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The invention is concerned with coordinating the several conveyors so as to transfer the welding rods from one conveyor to another and insure that they remain properly oriented and aligned on the conveyors.

The conveyors have been described in suiiicient detail to form a basis for the description of the novel organization of which the principal moving parts are transfer drums 5U, a drum being provided at the discharge end of each conveyor, except the final one, to transfer the rods to the next succeeding conveyor. Two of the drums are illustrated in Fig. 1 and a single drum in Figs. 3 and 4. As will be apparent, each drum is of cylindrical form, of length slightly less than the spacing between the chains I I, and disposed adjacent the delivery end of the chain. Preferably, as shown most clearly in Fig. 3, the axis of the drum is disposed below the conveyor', such as 30, from which it accepts the rods 4t, and adjacent the end of the chain. Each drum 5I! is mounted on a shaft 5| and is keyed in any suitable manner to rotate therewith, the shafts 5| extending transversely of the oven (Fig. 1) and being supported in any suitable manner. The shafts 5I are driven by a suitable power transmission mechanism geared to the drive means for the shaft 23 so that the drums rotate at speeds appropriate to the speeds of the conveyors. A preferred arrangement for this purpose consists of a sprocket 60 driven by a motor 90 which also drives the conveyor chains, coupled by an endless chain 6I to a sprocket 62 on the upper shaft 5|. A sprocket 63 on this shaft is coupled by a second endless chain 64 to a sprocket 65 on the second shaft 5I. If additional shafts 5I are provided they may be driven in the same manner, as, for example, by a chain driven by the sprocket 66 (Fig. 1). It will be noted that the sprocket 65 4 is larger than the sprocket 63 so that the drum 5I] in Fig. 1 rotates more slowly than the upper drum in accordance with the previously stated fact that the conveyor 3E) travels more slowly than the conveyor I Il. A collar 61 on the shaft 23 keeps the chain 6I clear of the shaft.

The transfer devices 50 in their preferred form each comprise a cylinder 52 supported on the shaft 5I by disks or wheels 53 and fitted with outwardly extending plates 54 somewhat similar to a paddle wheel. The plates 54 may be welded or otherwise secured in place, and are preferably approximately eight in number. The proportions of the device have not been found to be critical, but it is believed to be preferable to provide the blades 5l! with a somewhat convex outer edge so that the wheel 5D as a whole has a somewhat barrel-shaped appearance. As will be most readily appreciated from Fig. 3, as the rods 46 are carried to the left on the conveyor 30 and the wheel 5S rotates counter-clockwise, the rods will be lifted from the conveyor chains and carried upward on the periphery of the drum by a blade E4, being thus lifted free of the chain. The drum and blades correct the angular alignment of the rods if they should happen to be out of accurate perpendicular relation to the conveyors. As the wheel turns, the rods will, of course, move around with it and ultimately when the blade becomes approximately level, the rods will tend to roll outwardly as indicated by the rod 46a in Fig. 3. rThe rods are retained in position to be moved by the drum by generally semi-circular guide strips 'i8 which may be mounted in any convenient manner, as by a bracket 'II welded to the guide strip and bolted to a xed part of the oven. As will be apparent from Fig. 4, the guide 'ID is approximately concentric with the shaft 5I and spaced therefrom a distance less than the radius of the drum and blades, so that, as the drum rotates, the rods may descend by gravity along the upper surface of the guide 10, being restrained in their downward movement by the blades 54. Preferably, the terminal or the lowermost portion I2 of the guides is approximately level so that the rods reaching the position indicated by the rod 43h in Fig. 3 no longer tend to roll from the guide by gravity but are propelled therefrom by a blade 54 until they drop off the end of the guide onto the chain I2 immediately below the plane of the guides.

The preferred form as illustrated embodies a single drum with guides beyond each end of the drum. As will be apparent, modications of structure retaining the principles of this structure may be made. For example, a drum or wheel with pins projecting therefrom may be substituted for the drum 50 and blades 54. In case pins are used, the guide 'I0 may be between the pins instead of beyond the end of the drum; and in such case, a single relatively wide guide Ill may be employed. In any event, whether pins or plates are used, the rod 4Gb is engaged at widely spaced points as it is pushed from the portion '|2 of the guide and is thus deposited on the chain I2 in accurate angular alignment.

It will be apparent that the conveyor 30 could be higher relative to the drum 50 than shown in Fig. 3 so that the plane of the chain is above that of the drum. In such case, the rods are not initially lifted by the drum, but are pushed off by the plates 54. The conveyor may be so located that the rods fall from the conveyor into the pockets between the plates 54. The general arrangement illustrated, however, is believed to result in smoother and more satisfactory operation, with a minimum of free movement of the rods.

It will be apparent also that if the direction of movementv of the mechanism is reversed and the lower end portion l2 of the guide is inclined so as to extend below the plane of the top of the conveyor 40, the transfer device 50 would effectively elevate rods from the lower conveyor 4G and deposit them on the upper conveyor 3i).

The rods, perhaps because of vibration of the conveyor chains, sometimes may slide axially of the rods while traveling through the conveying system, and therefore the transfer device incorporates a centering structure to align the rods transversely of the conveyors as they are trans ferred from one conveyor to another.

The centering or aligning means comprises plates 80 which, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4 may be mounted on brackets 8l mounted on a fixed end plate or other 'fixed structure of the oven by screws 82, the screws passing 4through slots in the brackets 8| so that the aligning plates 80 may be adjusted in accordance with the length of the rods. The plates 80 of each set converge in the downward direction, which is that pursued by the rods. If the rod extends too far in either direction, it will be shifted to a central position as it passes between the plates 80.

The means by which the conveyors l and 38 are driven from the shaft 23 have been described.

The shaft 23 is fitted with a sprocket 85 driven by a sprocket 86 through a chain 83. The sprocket B6 is keyed to the output shaft 88 of any suitable motor and reduction gear combination indicated generally at 98. The sprocket 63 which f drives the transfer mechanisms is fixed to the driven member of an adjustable friction clutch 89 mounted on and driven by the motor shaft 88.

The friction clutch 89 also drives an overload control switch 9| through sprocket 92 on the clutch, chain 93, and sprocket 94. This overload control switch may be of the type known as a General Electric Plugging Switch, Catalogue No. CR-2952-A1A. The plugging switch contains a fixed contact and a movable contact which is held in engagement with the fixed Contact as long as the speed of the plugging switch shaft is held above a certain predetermined value, which value is in excess of the normal running speed of the conveyor transfer mechanism. The switch 9| is connected to the control panel 96 through which the motor is energized. If any jamming of the transfer mechanism occurs, which it might if the rods should, for some reason, become badly misaligned on the chain conveyor, the driving resistance of the transfer mechanism will increase. The transfer mechanisms require very little normal operating torque and the friction clutch 89 is set so as to slip whenever the load materially exceeds the normal operating load. Thus, if a rod 46 gets out of place and jams one of the drums 50 in any way, the load increases, the transfer mechanism stops due to slipping of the clutch 89, and for the same reason, the rotation of the plugging switch is interrupted. When this happens, the movable contact of the plugging switch is no longer urged into engagement with the fixed contact and the opening of a circuit at this point, through appropriate relay circuits, stops the motor 90 thereby stopping the entire conveyor mechanism. Thus, immediately after the transfer devices are stopped by slipping of the clutch, the conveyors are stopped by interruption of power so that no more material is brought to the ends of the conveyors.

The arrangement of circuits by which the plugging switch stops the motor can be merely a matter of standard electrical design and will vary in type with the character of current supply and type of motor. The details of the circuits are not material to the invention. The circuit arrangement for stopping the motor may, in any conventional Way, energize or de-energize other devices connected with the oven and sound an alarm indicating trouble in the machine.

Although the foregoing description is necessarily of a detailed character, in order that the invention may be completely set forth, it is to be understood that the specific terminology is not intended to be restrictive or confining, and that various rearrangements of parts and modifications of detail may be resorted to without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as herein claimed.

What is claimed is:

l. In combination, a first article conveyor, a second article conveyor, a transfer device to transfer articles from the first to the second conveyor, a motor for driving the conveyors and the transfer device, a slip clutch driven by the motor, driving means for the transfer device driven by the slip clutch, a speed-responsive switch device operably joined to the transfer device, and means responsive to decrease in speed of the switch device below a predetermined value to stop the motor.

2. In combination, a, first article conveyor, a second article conveyor, a transfer device to transfer articles from the first to the second conveyor, a motor for driving the conveyors and the transfer device, a slip clutch driven by the motor, driving means for the transfer device driven by the slip clutch and normally operating the transfer device at a speed proportional to the speed of the conveyors, a speed-responsive switch device operably joined to the transfer device, and meansl responsive to decrease in speed of the switch device below a predetermined value to de-energize the motor.

3. In combination, a first article conveyor, a second article conveyor, a transfer device to `transfer articles from the first to the second conveyor, a motor for driving the conveyors, an electrical circuit for said motor, a slip clutch driven by the motor, driving means for said transfer device driven by the slip clutch and normally operating the transfer device at a speed proportional to the speed of the conveyors, a make and break device in the circuit, control means for holding the make and break device in the circuit closing position during the normal operation of the driving means for the transfer device and for actuating the make and break device to the circuit opening position as the speed of the driving means for the transfer device falls below a predetermined value thereby de-energizing the motor.

4. In combination, a first article conveyor, a second article conveyor, a transfer device to transfer articles from the first to the second conveyor, a motor for driving the conveyors, an electrical circuit for said motor, a slip clutch driven by the motor, driving means for said transfer device driven by the slip clutch and normally operating the transfer device at a speed proportional to the speed of the conveyors, a make and break device in the circuit, driving means for the make and break device driven by the slip clutch at a speed proportional to the speed of the transfer device, and means operably joined to the driving means for the make and break device for holding said device in circuit closing position, said device opening the circuit, when the speed of the driving means :for the transfer device falls below a predetermined value thereby de-energizing the motor.

5. In combination, a iirst article conveyor, a second article conveyor, a transfer device to transfer articles from the first to the second conveyor, a motor for driving the conveyors, an electrical circuit for said motor, a slip clutch driven by the motor, driving means for said transfer device driven by the slip clutch and normally operating the transfer device at a speed proportional to the speed of the conveyors, a make and break device in the circuit, driving means for the make and break device driven by the slip clutch at a speed proportional to the speed of the transfer device, and means operably joined to the driving means for the make and 8 break device for holding said device in circuit closing position, said device opening the circuit when the speed of the driving means for the make and break device falls below a predetermined value thereby de-energizing the motor.

ERNEST P. MOSLO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

